A VALVE CONTROL FOR A FERTILIZER SPREADER

Abstract: An agricultural implement in form of a sprayer which may be connected to a pulling vehicle and which comprises one or several container(s) for storing the material(s) which may be pumped through a pipe system and if desired spread out. The agricultural implement comprises boom sections (12) provided with spreader units communicating with the pipe system. The pipe system is provided with one or more valves for controlling the materials flowing therethrough. The invention is characterised in that the valves are arranged aligned, the principle of concurrent control processes thus being utilized. As a result, firstly, operating the valves is easier and more clear and secondly it is easier to expand the system if an additional function is required by merely mounting yet another valve in alignment with the valves previously mounted. Furthermore, fault-finding, if necessary, is simplified, as the functions no longer interact and in principle are independent.

Description: Title: A valve control for a fertilizer spreader Technical Field The invention relates to an agricultural implement, such a fertilizer spreader, sprayer or the like, which may be connected to and carried by a pulling vehicle and which comprises one or several containers for storing the material(s) which may be pumped through a pipe system and if desired spread out, said agricultural implement comprising boom sections provided with spreader units communicating with the pipe system, valves being provided in the pipe system for controlling the materials flowing through. Prior Art Known agricultural implements for spreading fertilizer, herbicides and the like comprise a tangle of hoses and valves. The valve functions interact and may cause operation errors. It is very often difficult for the user to find out how to employ the individual valve. Furthermore, it is difficult to expand the known systems in case additional functions are required. Disclosure of the Invention The object of the invention is to provide an agricultural implement provided with a more simple valve control than hitherto known. An agricultural implement of the type stated in d e introduction characterised in that the valves are arranged in parallel, the principle of concurrent control pro¬ cesses thus being utilized. As a result, firstly, operating the valves is easier and easier to see and secondly it is easier to expand the system, if an additional function is required by merely mounting yet another valve in alignment with the valves previously mounted. Furthermore, fault-finding, if necessary, is simplified, as the functions no longer interfere with one another and in principle are independent. Moreover, according to the invention, the valves arranged in parallel may be aligned, whereby the operation of the valves is even more easy. Furthermore, according to the invention, each valve may communicate with a pipe of the pipe system via a T-shaped piece. Moreover, according to the invention, a plate with symbols may be provided below the lever of each valve. The symbols may be arranged in such a manner that they can be understood irrespective of whether the row of valves is arranged horizontally or vertically. The colour of the plate indicates whether the valve is placed on the suction side or d e delivery side or some other place. Further, according to the invention, one or more of the valves may be provided with electrical regulations for remote control of the valves from the driver's seat. Finally, according to the invention, the joint between a valve and a fitting may be provided by means of locking clamps or the like which can be used without any tools. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described in greater detail in the following with reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a diagram of an agricultural implement in form of a sprayer which may be connected to and carried by a pulling vehicle; Fig. 2 illustrates additional valves connected in parallel and arranged aligned on the delivery side of the pump; Fig. 3 illustrates additional valves connected in parallel and arranged aligned on the suction side of the pump; Fig. 4 illustrates an overflow valve likewise arranged on the suction side of the pump, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one of the valves. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention The diagram shown in Fig. 1 of an agricultural implement in form of a sprayer, which may be connected to a pulling vehicle, such as a tractor, comprises a main tank 9 for the sprayer liquid. The sprayer liquid may be drawn from the main tank 9 via a main tank pipe communicating with the suction side of a pump 8 through a three-way valve 1 , said pump being driven by the power-take-off of the tractor. The liquid is passed from the delivery side of the pump 8 via a valve 3 to a self-cleaning filter 10 and via a manifold 11 to boom sections 12 provided with spreader units. Each valve is provided with a lever 21. The position of the lever is indicated by means of an arrow. If it is desired to draw from a front tank mounted on the front of the vehicle, the lever of the valve 1 is turned, until the arrow points downwards. The arrow should point forwards when d ere is not to be drawn from the main tank or from the front tank. Besides the valve 1 is a valve 2 connected in parallel tiiereto. The arrow on the valve 2 is to point upwards, if clean water from a tank is to be drawn • αd downwards if water from a lake is to be drawn. The water may for instance be used to flush the spreader units and the pipe system connected there- to, e.g. prior to filling and spraying of another spray preparation. As an alterna- tive, the water may be supplied to the main tank 9 to rinse this, in which case the arrow on the valve 3 on the delivery side of the pump 8 is to point downwards. After the valve 3, a valve 4 connected thereto in parallel is arranged. If the arrow of said valve 4 points upwards, a liquid is pumped dirough an ejector which thereby provides a negative pressure. If the arrow points downwards, a prepara¬ tion can be filled into a container. Subsequent to the valve 4, a valve 5 connected thereto in parallel is arranged. If the arrow of this valve points upwards, liquid is discharged to a special flush equipment. If the arrow points downwards, liquid is discharged to the front tank. Subsequent to the valve 5, a valve 6 connected thereto in parallel is arranged. If the arrow of the valve 6 points upwards, liquid is discharged to a spray gun, for instance for spraying limited areas which are difficult to access. If the arrow points downwards, liquid is discharged for another purpose. A safety return circuit for the main tank 9 is shown after the valve 6. Moreover, an overflow valve 13 may be provided on the section side through which liquid can be led back to the main tank 9 in case of overflow, possibly via a special pipe (i.e. the arrow points upwards), if agitation in the tank 9 is desired. Each valve is a ball valve with three options for setting. The valve is attached to a connection in form of a T-shaped piece 15 inserted into the pipe. A portion of the liquid flow through the pipe can thereby be discharged via d e valve in the direction set by the valve. A sectional view through the T-shaped piece 15 and d e valve is shown in Fig. 5. The T-shaped piece 15 renders it possible to arranged tihe desired number of valves as required. Each valve is attached to a T- shaped piece 15 by means of a fitting and a staple. The ball valve comprises a pivotally arranged ball body 17 made of plastics, such as POM. The ball body 17 is sealed by means of sealing sleeves 18 made of teflon. An O-ring is arranged behind the sealing sleeves 18. Movement of die ball body 17 is carried out by means of a carrier seen to the right and sealed by means of two O-rings 20. A cross has been moulded on the carrier on which a lever 21 is mounted. The ball body 17 is provided with two openings engaging at an angle of 90°. The valve may be adjusted by means of a screw in the end cover. If the valve is jammed, the screw can be loosened. Conversely, the screw can be tightened, if the valve is leaking. An address plate with symbols 25-30 is attached to the lever 21, said symbols indicating to which place me liquid is to be supplied - confer Fig. 2 - or where- from me liquid is to be drawn - confer Fig. 3. The colour of the plate indicates whether the valve is on the suction side, die delivery side or has anod er position. Each valve may alternatively be remotely controlled from the driver's seat by means of a motor and a gear. If so, the address plate and me lever are removed, whereafter a gear with a motor on four columns 31 is mounted, me address plate being mounted on me columns. As a result, the valves may be controlled electri¬ cally and it is easier to activate e.g. a flush process from the driver's seat. Thus, it is shown how to simplify the control of the liquids flowing tiirough a seemingly complicated pipe system by utilizing me principle of concurrent con¬ trol processes which make it possible to arranged me control valves in parallel in the pipe system of the sprayer. Moreover, the pressure drop is minimized between the tank and d e pump and between me pump and the consuming compo¬ nents.

Claims: Claims 1. An agricultural implement, such as a fertilizer spreader, sprayer or the like, which may be connected to and carried by a pulling vehicle and which comprises one or several container(s) (9) for storing the material(s) which may be pumped through a pipe system and if desired spread out, said agricultoral implement comprising boom sections (12) provided wid spreader units communicating with the pipe system, valves being provided in me pipe system for controlling the materials flowing through, characterised in that the valves are arranged in parallel, the principle of concurrent control processes thus being utilized. 2. An agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1, characteri¬ se d in diat the valves arranged in parallel (1,2,3,4) are aligned. 3. An agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characte¬ rised in that each valve is a diree-way valve. 4. An agricultural implement as claimed in one or more of me claims 1-3, c haracterised in that each valve commumcates with a pipe of the pipe system via a T-shaped piece (15). 5. An agricultural implement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in mat a plate with symbols is provided below the lever of each valve. 6. An agricultural implement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that one or more of the valves are provided witii electrical regulations for remote control thereof from the driver's seat. 7. An agricultural implement as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in mat me connection between a valve and a fitting is provided by means of locking clamps or the like which can be used widiout any tools.

Inventors: FILSOE FINN, FILSOE, FINN
Applicants: FILSOE FINN, HARDI INT AS, FILSOE, FINN, HARDI INTERNATIONAL A/S
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A01C23
IPC codes: A01C23, A01M7, B05B12, F16K11